HOPEfull Conversations with Kari Eckert

Entering adulthood can be an emotional time, but sometimes the ups and downs can mean something more. Millions of young adults are living with a mental or substance use disorder and many either do not realize they have one or are not paying attention to the signs and not seeking help. In fact, of the 8.9 million young adults who reported having a mental illness in 2018, more than 2 in 5 went untreated and of the 5.1 million with a substance use disorder, nearly 9 in 10 did not get treatment.  It is important to remember that asking for help is a normal part of life, and you should never feel like you have to take on the world alone. If you are concerned that you or someone in your life may be drinking too much, using drugs, or dealing with mental illness, there are resources available to help.

Dr. Charles Smith, the Regional Administrator at SAMHSA, otherwise known as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  Dr. Smith is a representative of the Assistant Secretary and the lead Federal Authority for Mental Health and Substance use and works to advance the behavioral health system of care.  He is also a father.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

If you are concerned that a friend or family member is struggling with substance abuse we encourage you to initiate a conversation.  Some prompts can be found at:  https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tay-conversation-starters.pdf and https://robbies-hope.com/wp-content/uploads/Adult-Handbook-2019.pdf

For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

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Twelve and a half years old. That’s the average age at which a child opens a social media account. Growing research finds that the more time spent on social media, the more likely a person will experience mental health symptoms like anxiety, isolation, and hopelessness. And according to one recent study, high levels of social media use over the span of four years was associated with increased depression among middle and high school youths. A 2018 Pew Research Center survey of nearly 750 13- to 17-year-olds found that 45% are online almost constantly and 97% use a social media platform, such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat. “Technology’s promise to keep us connected has given rise to a host of unintended consequences that are catching up with us. If we can’t address our broken information ecosystem, we’ll never be able to address the challenges that plague humanity.” – The Social Dilemma

My guest this week is Maddie Freeman, a current student at the University of Colorado Boulder, studying Entrepreneurship and Business Manage.  Maddie is the founder of NoSo November. NoSo November’s missionis to educate youth about social media’s impacts on mental health/suicide and tech addiction. We do this by providing a free educational challenge video we created that is aimed to spread awareness around the problematic business model used by Big Social companies. We also challenge viewers to take individual action to take their power back over these platforms by logging off/deleting all social media apps for the month of November and focus on implementing positive mental health practices in its place.

Our challenge to our Adult and Youth followers…take part in NoSo November.  Find out more at https://www.nosonovember.org

For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

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A recent article in Forbes by Mark Perna wrote about how the pandemic has inspired Gen Z to rethink their education, career and future.  Often called Generation Resilient, they are entering into a post-pandemic world with new levels of confidence.  “This generation has shown remarkable resilience in channeling their penchant for activism, creativity and motivation,” says Laura Howe, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Communications, for Pearson. “Despite all their setbacks during the pandemic, they’re still eager to move forward with their education to drive change.”  “By their nature, members of Gen-Z are socially conscious, driven and highly engaged with the world around them,” says Howe. “Generations of all ages can learn from this and work to help strengthen their community, particularly after such an isolating year.”

My guest this week is Liza Skipwith, and upper school counselor and director of counseling services at Colorado Academy. Liza has been a school counselor for 26 years and has her certification as a suicide prevention specialist.  Our conversation focuses on Gen Z, differences between how boys and girls talk about mental health, and how to talk to teens about mental health and suicidal ideation.

For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

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A recent article in Mental Health Weekly by Dr. Caroline Carney outlined the challenges youth face today and the impact that COVID has had on their mental health.  We still do not have full data detailing the impact of COVID on suicide rates, but the consensus is that death rates spiked.  We know for certain that there has been a significant increase of youth seeking emergency care for mental health issues and suicidal ideation.  Through the pandemic youth observed social, school, and family stresses due to the pandemic.  It is a challenge for youth to put all that has happened in the context of their lifespan and their future.  Programs that teach youth mindfulness and resiliency techniques are impactful because they mitigate the negative mental health effects by teaching them to take control of their outlook on life. A small but growing body of research shows that mindfulness improves adolescent resilience to stress, decreases depression and improves psychological well‐being. 

My guest this week is Rachel Kaplan.  Rachel started her career as a disability advocate in a law office but felt that teaching yoga and mindfulness was a more fulfilling path. She works primarily with the disabled and trauma affected. In addition, she is trained as an end-of-life doula.  She has 3 children of her own, and cares deeply about the issues surrounding suicide. She has been personally impacted by suicide, and volunteers with the AFSP while continuing to educate herself about mental health; including brain anatomy, something she is knowledgeable and passionate about.  Guided by Humanity - offers inclusive and equitable yoga and mindfulness services while employing a trauma-sensitive approach. Their core values are Compassion, Equity, Community, and Connection.  

The audio podcast can be found on our favorite podcast site or watch the full length video podcast on the Robbie’s Hope YouTube channel.

For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

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A recent NCAA study revealed that rates of mental exhaustion, anxiety, and depression continue to rise among student-athletes.  When responding to mental health support questions, 69% of women's sports participants and 63% of men's sports participants agreed or strongly agreed that they know where to go on campus if they have mental health concerns.  But when asked if they would feel comfortable seeking support from a mental health provider on campus, less than half of women's sports and men's sports participants answered that they would agree or strongly agree with that statement (48% and 46%, respectively).  With pressures to perform in the game, as well as in the rest of their public lives, being an athlete can be incredibly challenging for a person’s mental health. Student-athletes have additional pressures to maintain their classwork and grades on top of practice and games. When athletes get hurt, they receive time to heal, but what about when those injuries are invisible?  With young adults, especially college athletes, the statistics are startling: 33% of all college students experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Among that group, 30% seek help. But of college athletes with mental health conditions, only 10% do.  Among professional athletes, data shows that up to 35% of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis which may manifest as stress, eating disorders, burnout, or depression and anxiety.

My guest this week is Camden Dempsey, a sophomore at the University of Colorado, and a Division I football player.  Camden talks about the demands placed on athletes and how it can affect their mental health.  Regimented, Demanding, Fun is Camden’s description of what being a DI athlete is like.  He talks about how coaches and players straddle a delicate line between mental toughness and the need for mental health support.  Camden shares show he manages the balance between academic, athletic, and social pressures and describes what kinds of support are helpful from teammates and coaches. 

The audio podcast can be found on our favorite podcast site or watch the full length video podcast on the Robbie’s Hope YouTube channel.

For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

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According to the CDC, in 2021, more than a third (37%) of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44% reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year. More than half (55%) reported they experienced emotional abuse by a parent or other adult in the home, including swearing at, insulting, or putting down the student.  11% experienced physical abuse by a parent or other adult in the home, including hitting, beating, kicking, or physically hurting the student.  More than a quarter (29%) reported a parent or other adult in their home lost a job.  Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and female youth reported greater levels of poor mental health; emotional abuse by a parent or caregiver; and having attempted suicide than their counterparts.  In addition, over a third (36%) of students said they experienced racism before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Findings also highlight that a sense of being cared for, supported, and belonging at school — called “school connectedness” — had an important effect on students during a time of severe disruption. Youth who felt connected to adults and peers at school were significantly less likely than those who did not to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness (35% vs. 53%); that they seriously considered attempting suicide (14% vs. 26%); or attempted suicide (6% vs. 12%). However, fewer than half (47%) of youth reported feeling close to people at school during the pandemic.  Schools are crucial partners in supporting the health and wellbeing of students. In addition to education, they provide opportunities for academic, social, mental health, and physical health services that can help protect against negative outcomes. Schools are facing unprecedented disruptions during the pandemic, however, and cannot address these complex challenges alone.

My guests this week are Christine Casey Perry, Mental Health Resource Coordinator for Littleton Public Schools, and Jon Widmier, Coordinator of Social and Emotional Behavior for Little Public Schools.  Little Public School District in Colorado has approximately 14,000 students (K-12).  Christine and Jon talk about how the school district is trying to develop an environment of support and belonging as they address increasing levels of mental health illness in their school population.  Our conversation covers a wide swath of ground from the pressures of performance, the impact of COVID, barriers to connecting youth to mental health services, substance abuse, and what great support can look like when a school experiences a death by suicide.

Listen to the entire conversation on your favorite podcast site or watch on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/gZbCMbTUyzY

For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

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Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among teens in the U.S. and the number one cause in Colorado, where Robbie’s Hope began. But what’s more staggering than the statistics is that there isn’t more being done to help the individuals affected most—teens.

As adults and as a society, we are failing our children. It is our goal to empower the next generation to cope with the stress and pressure of modern society. To redefine what “good” actually looks like. To help teens recognize warning signs and realize they’re not alone. To allow them to feel their voices are being heard, letting them know it’s ok to ask for help, and giving them the tools and resources they need to rally together and talk openly about their struggles. Through compassion, empathy and communication, we are building communities of support where it is not only acceptable, but normal, to talk about depression and anxiety.

At Robbie’s Hope it is our mission to empower a generation of teens to let each other know it’s ok, to not be ok. Help us inspire more young people to have HOPE (Hold on Pain Ends) in an effort to fight this horrible epidemic.

In the inaugural HOPEfull Conversations podcast, Kari Eckert, Executive Director of Robbie’s Hope and Robbie’s Mom, along with her husband Jason, go back to the beginning.  Journey with them through the trauma of Robbie’s death, and the start of Robbie’s Hope.  Relive the past four years through their eyes as they have enabled thousands of teens across the country to become mental health advocates in their communities, and hear a little bit about what is yet to come.

The audio podcast can be found on our favorite podcast site or watch the full length video podcast on the Robbie’s Hope YouTube channel.

For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)